Monday, May 24, 2010

Weeknight Dinner, Courtesy of Mark Bittman

I was in court a lot this past week. Going to court is always a particularly draining experience. Park my car (hoping I remember where I parked on my way out), grab my files (hoping I haven't forgotten one of them at the office), run across the street in heels (hoping my heel doesn't get caught in one of the steam-spewing, piranha-like potholes on the street), go through security (hoping my necklace doesn't set off the alarm, triggering the security guard to give me a dirty look). Things rarely work out smoothly but a girl can hope! By the time I hit the elevator, I feel like I've already put in a full day's work and I'm not even before the judge yet. I guess it could be worse, I could be the one on trial. But let me tell you, it's hard to see this silver lining when it's 8:00 p.m. and I'm headed home knowing full well that my refrigerator contains only a bottle of ketchup, a few wilted lettuce leaves and my trusty Brita (which sits empty). No, I'm not a 21-year-old fraternity boy (because in that scenario, I'd at least have beer in my fridge). I just work a lot.

Dinner was a dismal affair this past week until about Thursday (yup, it took me that long to realize I was in trouble. Don't judge). See, I've been bookmarking Mark Bittman's recipes from the New York Times for a while. I'm cleaning out my bookmark list (after a spectacular dinner of Honey Bunch of Oats with milk, eaten from a large measuring cup because we're out of clean bowls) when I realize, Mark Bittman can very well save dinner. The Minimalist is not only a cute concept but one which works particularly well if you haven't had the time to do a huge grocery run in some time. A couple of ingredients, a simple preparation and voila, a real meal in minutes. No scented foam, no superfluous garnish, no flashy presentation. Just straight up real food for a real weeknight.

Enter Ginger Fried Rice. Nine ingredients, four of which, like oil and salt, are pantry staples. Plus, you know you want a way to use up old cooked rice. Fear not about the fresh ingredients, ginger, garlic and leeks, for they are open to substitution. For example, I didn't have leeks (surprise, surprise). The trusty Cook's Thesaurus said I could substitute green onions (which surprisingly, I did have). Don't ask why I have green onions in my fridge but no bread. I also didn't have fresh ginger so I threw in a bit of ginger powder. I did have fresh garlic and I'm glad I did because fried, crisp garlic took this dish to a whole new level (though you and your date may disagree about whether that's a good thing). Have some wilted spinach? Cook it with the leeks and throw it in. Some frozen mixed vegetables? Same deal. So we've talked about all the things you don't have to have. The fried egg is one ingredient you have to have. When you break the yolk and it slowly coats the slightly crispy rice underneath, a sense of calm overtakes you. You hear angels singing. I imagine this is what nirvana feels like. It's simple: no egg, no nirvana. I also add a bit of Sambal Oelek. You can use sriracha if that's more your thing (or more realistically, if that's all you have). Don't use Tabasco because that's just blasphemous.

22 comments:

Enjoyed reading your post. Beautiful photo of the dish. Love the egg over the top. Glad I found your blog, it is a great read. As a husband to a lawyer, I can relate on just how taxing it is. Luckily for her she does not need to be anywhere near the kitchen. That is my domain.

I eat egg at least once if not twice for dinner some weeks, and I am definitely adding this to my rotation. I really like all the flavors, and you are right, I think I have everything that I need in my pantry!

And I can relate to you about working a lot. Some nights I am eating eggs because I love them, other nights it is because it is the only thing in my fridge and it is nutritious and cooked in 5 minutes. At least more nutritious than a bowl of cornflakes. :)

Fried rice has been my go to meal many a night when I was working late and trying to get something on the table for my husband and myself - so easy and so many variations available. Pre-marriage I won't disclose how many nights I ate cereal for dinner ;)

I love his recipes (my latest is one of his, too) and this looks soooo good. And I'm sad to know that when I finally find a job I will likely be relegated back to cereal and reheated pasta now and again. Le sigh.

Hi Azmina,I have busy weeks, but I can only imagine being a lawyer takes busy-ness to an entirely different level. I may piddle around in my cubicle helping the corporation make money, but your job is so much more purposeful. And how awesome that you enjoy cooking! I have a handful of friends who are doctors and though they love eating, they are NEVER in the kitchen. You are my hero!